[1] At the helm of his ship Golden Hind, Sir Francis Drake had slipped into the Pacific Ocean via the strait of Magellan in 1578 without the knowledge of the Spanish authorities in South America.

During this trip, Drake pillaged El Callao (Peru's main port) and was able to gather information regarding the treasure ship Cagafuego, which was sailing toward Panama laden with silver and jewels.

Since it was the middle of the day and Drake did not want to arouse suspicions by reducing sails, he trailed some wine casks behind Golden Hind to slow her progress and allow enough time for night to fall.

In the early evening, after disguising Golden Hind as a merchantman, Drake finally came alongside his target and, when the Spanish captain San Juan de Antón refused to surrender, opened fire.

[2] Laden with the treasure from Cagafuego, Golden Hind continued its voyage first to New Albion, then westward, completing the second circumnavigation of the earth by returning to Plymouth, England, on 26 September 1580.